What Toyota expects from Rovanpera on his full-time WRC return

Toyota wait for that Kalle Rovanpera challenge for the World Rally Championship (WRC) title on his full-time return to the series this year, as the Finnish driver stepped up his preparation for the Monte Carlo Rally this week.

The double world champion will compete this year for the entire season and therefore all 14 races, after having completed a partial campaign last year, which nevertheless ended with four victories which allowed Toyota to win the fourth consecutive manufacturers' crown .

Rovanpera returned to the wheel of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 earlier this week, as the reigning world champion's team began pre-Monte Carlo Rally testing (January 23-26). The Finnish driver braved the snowy and icy French roads while racking up valuable mileage behind the wheel of the new 2025 car equipped with Hankook tires.

Your teammates Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and the new signature Sami Pajari They will also get in the car.

Toyota Team Leader Jari-Matti Latvala, expects Rovanpera to fully commit and fight for a third world title this year. He also believes Rovanpera's track exploits last year, which will continue with his endurance debut this weekend at the Dubai 24 Hours, could strengthen his asphalt rallying skills.

“I hope he fights for the title, I'm sure it will be quick,” Latvala said.

“When he arrives he will want to win, but we will see. We also know that Kalle has been experimenting in 2024 and I am not sure that he will drive for many years in rallies, but when he does he will be fully engaged. “.

“Do what you did [en 2024] can maintain its momentum and we have seen it with Sébastien Loeb when I was doing all kinds of things [en el automovilismo] then he came to Monte Carlo in 2022 and won. Maybe it can contribute to clean driving on asphalt.”

Speaking ahead of the test, Rovanpera said his full-time return to the WRC requires him to “work hard” but he is focused on stealing the title from Thierry Neuvillefrom Hyundai.

“Of course, I will try to work hard and keep the good motivation from 2024 to 2025,” Rovanpera said. Motorsport.com. “There is only one goal, to try to win again and fight for the championship, so of course I still have to work hard.”

After the test he added: “The Monte Carlo is always a very difficult start and this year we have new tires for everyone. I think it's going to be something very important for everyone. We have to learn to drive with new tires in any case.” terms.

“But of course, after last year, Thierry has to be one of the drivers to beat and now everyone is supporting him. We are behind him and we will see how he goes,” he concluded.